I first want to thank NetGalley and Shauna Lawless for the arc of this amazing book. Here is my honest and fair review of Daughter of the Otherworld.

This book was phenomenal. Majority of fantasy novels take a lot of inspiration from Irish mythology but the author of this book being Irish just made the world of difference!! This story follows Isolde who has been raised on a remote small island with her cousin until their family history is unveiled, revealing an even bigger legacy that leaves Isolde in a whole new world. It follows the two sides of this magical feud between the Fomorians and the Descendants that has been raging for over a century.

When I finished this book, I just wanted more! The plot twist at the end will be on my mind now until the next release. It was so refreshing to have such a good plot twist/cliff hanger to finish off on. The story itself is jam packed with so much lore of each character, magic and Irish folklore. I loved every second of it. I cannot wait till the next book. It truly deserves every bit of the 4.5 stars rating I am giving it.

Daughter of the Otherworld, a new chapter in The Gael Song trilogy. I should note here that I haven’t read the trilogy yet, though I plan to after reading this book.

After Isolde goes missing—born into the family of a famous Irish king and a powerful immortal. She eventually reappears and begins living with her uncle Broccan. Her mother’s kin, the Descendants, are one of two magical races in Ireland. The other race is the Fomorians, ancient enemies of the Descendants.

This book is told from multiple points of view: from Isolde and Broccan to the Fomorians, and others. This is where the strength of the book lies. The way these chapters are written allows you to clearly sense the different voices and personalities. It’s not only a character-driven story, but also a plot-driven one. You experience the conflict between the Descendants and the Fomorians, as well as the rivalries between various Irish and Norman kings, alongside political and religious tensions.

The story takes its time to get going. I must admit, I sometimes struggled with certain chapters due to the large number of characters and families mentioned. I also found it challenging to keep track of the Irish names and terminology for towns or strongholds. Additionally, it felt like some world-building was missing, likely because it's already been established in the previous books. There was a general lack of context at times.

All in all, I really liked Lawless’s writing style, and even though I didn’t fully understand everything, the book definitely made me want to read more. I absolutely should read the trilogy as soon as possible!

Thank you NetGalley and Head of Zeus for providing this E-ARC in exchange for my honest opinion!

I literally had to take two days off reading to digest this book! WOW 5/5 ✨! This book was so immersive for me as a reader. You experience the conflicts through the eyes of each character (per chapter), while blending elements of Irish mythology in such an exciting way! One thing to note is that I wasn’t aware this was part of a trilogy, but it works as a standalone, which is brilliant!

Isolde is our FMC, and she is at the heart of this story, without having done much initially! We watch her discover her heritage and the magical powers within her in real time, and it is so fascinating. I saw one person describe this as her coming-of-age tale, and while that’s spot-on, I wanted to add that we get to see her explore her identity, boundaries, and essentially her power, as everything she thought she knew gets turned upside down.


World/Politics:
Now, let me dive into what really kept me hooked for two days straight: the world-building and politics! We are talking about shifting times, a literal change of power in the universe of the book, particularly medieval Ireland where war is imminent!

The tension between the Descendants and the Fomorians is so palpable that, as a first-time reader, I felt like Isolde, learning about the betrayals and the vendettas between the two groups. The author does a brilliant job of unfolding the magical elements and world-building without overwhelming you with unnecessary details, just enough to keep the plot moving forward.

At the same time, we see the Anglo-Saxons, French, and Irish navigating a world full of high-stakes politics (power struggles and geopolitics), complicated relationships, and bloody violence had me reaching for my popcorn! You can feel that the imminent war, wrapped in the name of Christianity, adds another layer to everything going on between the Descendants and the Fomorians (if you’re a fan of historical fantasy with a dose of inspiration from actual events, this is for you)!

Side characters:
One of the things I loved most was how human every character felt—even the gods. Flawed, angry, conniving… you could see their motivations clearly, and it made the story feel more read! I even enjoyed reading the POVs of those we’d typically consider "villains," because their perspectives were just as valid and understandable as those of the heroes.

Broccan:
I realize this is about Isolde, BUT I WISH we had another 2-3 chapters of his perspective, because, truly, he was the heart of the book initially! His deep love for Isolde, combined with the immense pain from his past, truly made him the emotional core of the story initially!

Cuan:
I actually need to stand up because… YES. A character who has been attacked by conflict due to his family and has suffered because of it? SAY LESS, WE LOVE! Jokes aside, the storytelling between him and his decisions, as told through Isolde’s POV, was so interesting. It gave us critical insights into his motivations and made his decisions even more impactful.

The writing was SO incredibly descriptive, immersing you in the world while still allowing the characters’ experiences, emotions, and motivations to be the main focus. The exploration of grief, loss, and the fight for power within our characters and the nations mentjoned, is handled with great care, which is such a sensitive topic!


The final chapter left me wanting 300 more pages, so I can’t wait for the next one! And to fill in the void, I’m buying the previous books to read!😉

I would definitely recommend, as you can guess by my 5/5 stars!

Thank you, NetGalley and Head of Zeus, for the ARC!

Oh this is was just as good as I’d hoped it would be! The story follows on a century after the events of the last book, so in a ‘new era’ with some familiar characters and plenty of new ones!

Isolde is Folda’s daughter, her would is turned upside down and she discovers the truth about her heritage the and the strange powers she has within

Ahhhh I just love Shauna Lawless’s writing. This is just a such a perfect blend of historic fiction and fantasy. The pacing was great, the characters just have so much depth and the writing is just beautiful.

I also love that you don’t technically need to have read the previous trilogy in order to understand what’s going on. This story sands up on its own (although I’d recommend reading them a steady, equally as brilliant)

This was my first time reading Shauna Lawless and found her writing and style so fantastic. She created strong characters with development as the story unfolded, in a historic setting I haven't read about before.

Sent this as an arc by NetGalley and wasn't aware it was part of a series until I began reading. If I could read it afresh, I would read the other 3 books first to get a better picture.

Daughter of the Otherworld opens a new chapter in Shauna Lawless’s medieval Ireland steeped in myth, set after the events of the Gaelsong trilogy. As tensions rise between the ancient Fomorians and their age-old enemies, the Descendants, a new generation must confront old rivalries and the echoes of forgotten power. At the heart of it all are Isolde and Broccan, two characters navigating the blurred lines between loyalty, legacy, and survival in a land where gods and monsters still walk among men.

One of the strengths of the book lies in its character work—particularly in the dynamic between Isolde and Broccan. Their bond feels genuine, layered with history and shaped by choices (in part made prior to this book) that carry a substantial and emotional weight. I found myself especially drawn to their interactions, which were loving, sometimes heartbreaking, and often carried a quiet intensity. There’s also a real sense of stakes in the re-emerging conflict between the Descendants and the Fomorians, which builds a sense of looming tension that keeps you curious about what’s coming next.

However, I struggled to fully engage with the novel, and there were several factors that contributed to that. The world, while steeped in the medieval history and rich mythological roots of Ireland, felt a bit underdeveloped in Daughter of the Otherworld—almost as if the scaffolding of a familiar world was present, but the textures and sensory immersion were missing. This might be due to the fact that I haven’t read the original Gaelsong trilogy, and unfortunately, I felt the lack of context. Some of the relationships, tensions and background elements seemed to rely (at least in part) on prior knowledge, which left me feeling slightly adrift. The pacing was also slower than I expected, which made it harder to stay invested during the middle sections of the book.

Overall, Daughter of the Otherworld didn’t fully land for me, but I suspect many of my reservations would fade if I had read the Gaelsong trilogy beforehand. Fans of Lawless’s earlier work will likely appreciate the nuances and world-building in ways I couldn't. That said, I’m not ready to give up on this world just yet—I already own The Children of Gods and Fighting Men on Audible and plan to listen to it soon. Perhaps with that foundation, I’ll be able to return to this series with fresh eyes.

..: Disclaimer :..
I was sent an ARC of <i>Daughter of the Otherworld</i> by Shauna Lawless via Netgalley in exchange for my honest opinion. Many thanks to the author and publisher, Head of Zeus, for the trust!

This is my first time reading a book written by Shauna Lawless, and I'm pleased to say that I've been captivated by the strong characters, and mythological story.

I dove into this book without realising it was book 4 of the collection. The story was easy to follow, and the creativity in the writing made it easy to imagine that you're right there with the characters.

After reading this book I went back and looked though descriptions of the previous books to gain a bigger picture. However, I don't think this is absolutely needed.

I felt gripped enough after reading this book that I'm going to go back to read the:

Children Of Gods And Fighting Men
The Words Of Kings And Prophets
The Land Of The Living And The Dead

Thank you for giving me the chance to read this masterpiece early. Shauna's love of mythology really shines through and I look forward to stepping into creations to come.

What an absolute delight this was to read. From the very first page, I was wholly absorbed—the writing is so beautiful, it swept me away. Although I haven’t read the first three books of the original trilogy, I never felt lost; if anything passed me by, it didn’t detract from my enjoyment in the slightest.

This novel is a stunning blend of mythology, history, and intensely character-driven storytelling. As the story unfolded, I found it increasingly difficult to put the book down. But what truly captivated me, more than the fascinating lore or compelling plot, was the beauty of the prose. Shauna Lawless has a remarkable gift with language, and this was my first experience reading her work. It certainly won’t be my last.

I’m already looking forward to continuing with this series. The characters are so well-drawn and engaging that I’m now fully invested in their journeys. The story of the Descendants and the Fomorians feels especially resonant given the state of the world today, and I’m eager to see where Lawless takes it next.

Having really enjoyed the original Gael Song trilogy, I was delighted to learn that Daughter of the Otherworld continues the story many years later. As with the previous books, Shauna blends together history and mythology seamlessly, making for a really rich and interesting world which always makes me want to learn more. Some of the original characters are still present, however, it was the newer POVs which really held my attention this time and I found Isolde's chapters particularly enjoyable.
Shauna isn't one for giving her characters an easy time of things and that certainly continues to be the case here. Towards the end I could not put this book down and I am already looking forward to the next book, even if I fear it might hurt.

“Daughter of the Otherworld” is the second era of the “Gael Song” saga by Shauna Lawless It opens between 100 and 150 years after the first era was over, but since our main characters belong to the old peoples of Ireland, meaning that they live considerably longer than mortals and therefore don’t see the passing of the time the same way as mortals do, we could say that the story picks up where it left. That’s why there’s only so much about the plot that can be shared, for fear of spoiling the ending and many events of the first trilogy. Some characters are new, younger, some others are known to us. Some are seeking revenge, some are on the run until the tides turn. And the tides of the Irish Sea turn pretty often.

Depending on the perspective, this book is a coming of age story as well as a historical fantasy. We have a new heroine amongst the old friends and foes. Isolde is a descendant of the Tuatha Dé Dannan, one of the old peoples, who has been raised by her much older cousin Broccan. She knows nothing of the world for she has been living in an island very close to Ulaid, but isolated enough not to be concerned with the affairs of the mortals. Broccan hasn’t felt any kind of gift in Isolde and he hopes she can marry and live like an ordinary woman when she grows up. But then they receive the visit of none others than the Fomorians, and their world will never be the same again.

In “Daughter of the Otherworld” Shauna Lawless gets a new set of pieces for her chess game. She sets two queens and many pawns around them. The game is one of wars, scheming, plot, treason, revenge and cruelty. However she knows very well that chess is first and foremost a game of strategy. And no one knows strategy better than one of the queens of this game whose name I cannot give away. Once one of the queens falls, the game will be over.

Ireland is always at war. That’s the one thing that never changes about her. The tensions amongst the different kings, the violence within the families, the hunger for power, gold and land… the generations of bad blood and the anger only rising with each son. And if it wasn’t enough, there are also people hungering for the green Island, this time is not the vikings, it’s the god fearing Normans that wait for their opportunity in the shores of France. And in that chaos, Isolde looks for her people, for an answer. A woman alone wandering the valleys in a world about to burn down.

Once again Shauna Lawless leaves her readers without words. She reconstructs actual history and tames it to her will. Her unforgettable characters are so complex that even the one in the background will stay with the reader forever. But the best part is that she crafts her legends in a way that when the book is over, research commences. Looking up maps, history books, wikipedia, photographs… are the side effects of reading the Gael Song saga, it’s so exciting and enriching that I cannot but recommend it totally convinced that it will change your perspective in many things. Learning is a powerful tool and one learns best when we turn to legends, myths, and humanity. Especially humanity.

Daughter of the Otherworld by Shauna Lawless is such a good story. I totally recommend everyone to read this book as fast as they can because it's really good and the characters are fantastic.

If you imagine someone dramatically cleaning off their desk in a fit of rage, that was me with excitement to my TBR when the approval for Daughter of the Otherworld came through.

I was so excited to return to the Gael Song world and follow the story we left off from in The Land of the Living and the Dead.

As this is Gael Song's second era, there are of course new characters, new politics, and new dynamics. What there is not is any change for the positive among the Fomorians. They continue to be chilling, cutting, and calculating. There is no question Donnchad is Gormflaith's son, and there is no question that Angelo is her grandson.

Largely we follow Donnchad, Gormflaith, and Isolde, Fódla's daughter from The Land of the Living and the Dead. You can see so much of Fódla in her character and those moments really brought a smile to my face. We also see through her the grow that Broccan has had for the last 150 years and it's clear he is still raging and heartbroken.

Through Isolde's story, we get the bulk of politics. New kings have fallen and risen, and as always the humans are about to be at war. Also as always, the Fomorians are using this as an opportunity to rise their social rankings again. But the landscape has changed and Christianity is more prevalent than before. This means that the Descendants of the Tuatha Dé Danann and Fomorians are more than ever thought of as legends of the past. But that said, this era feels more magical than Gael Song's first did. It feels like a different of balance of historical fiction and fantasy that falls somewhere between the first trilogy and the novellas. I am extremely keen to see how this continues for the series.

There are also some BIG reveals in this book to get us excited for this trilogy. There is no doubt in my mind that Isolde's story is going to rival Fódla's for top spot in my bookish heart and that Shauna is not going to pull any punches in telling it.

I had the immense pleasure and honour of reading Daughter of the Otherworld by Shauna Lawless in advance. After finishing the Gael Song trilogy, this series became my second favourite of all time, second only toThe City of Brass by S. A. Chakraborty. Both authors have this rare ability to create incredibly vivid worlds, life-like characters, and complex, layered relationships, something I love in a book. But after reading Daughter of the Otherworld, I honestly can’t choose between them anymore. These two series now share first place in my heart.

So yes, it is safe to say I loved this book. The quality is just as good as the previous installments. The events at the end of The Land of the Living and the Dead, the deaths, the losses, hit me even harder once I started the novel and realised the plot had to continue without them. I truly loved where the story is heading now and how it lets us witness history changing. The world is entering medieval times, it feels more Christian, more cosmopolitan, and I especially appreciated the mention of a famous Roman family, the Orsini, who also built the castle in the town where I live, near Rome.

I love the new characters, Isolde, Cuan, who feels like a knight stepped out of Arthurian legends, and Donnchad. But honestly, I would have been content to just follow Broccan and Isolde, to see their bond grow, and to follow her discovering the world I already love through curious eyes. And yet, around the twenty-six percent mark, I felt this sudden surge of emotion when Gormflaith appeared again. To witness both sides of the same conflict. To root for both sides, for someone you know is a villain.

These characters feel so real to me. They are fully fleshed out, not just existing within the story, but beyond it too. I can picture their pasts, imagine their futures.

One of the things I liked the most is how delicately this book handles complex themes like grief and loss. These emotions are always treated with the utmost care. Also, Shauna's writing style, as always, is incredible. It does not distract you from the story. On the contrary, it's poetic, immersive, transporting.

And this is why, in my eyes, Shauna Lawless has once again proven herself a master of storytelling. I’m incredibly grateful to have read this book early. Thank you to the author, Head of Zeus and Netgalley. Now I’ll wait for July to arrive so I can cry my eyes out while reading Murchad’s story.

Big thanks to Head of Zeus for providing me with an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Daughter of the Otherworld is a continuation of the world and story built in the original Gael Song trilogy. It's a unique blend of fantasy and historical fiction. We pick the story up over a hundred years after the events of The Land of the Living and the Dead. I want to stress that you need to read the original trilogy before diving into this one otherwise you are going to be completely lost!

I really don't want to dive into any details regarding the plot here because doing so would really spoil events from the original trilogy if you haven't yet read that. But what I will say is that this was very much like returning to a pair of my most comfortable slippers. The writing flows incredibly well, the pacing is great and revisiting this world was just a pure joy.

I felt that the time jump of around 100 years was a great choice. It progressed events along enough to allow some new and fresh characters and story elements, while still allowing some old favourites to return.

If you loved the original Gael Song trilogy then I can say with confidence that you're going to love this one too.

My rating: 4.5 stars

More than a century after era one, we re-enter the world of the Descendants and Fomorians. Isolde emerged from the Hawthorne tree nearly 18 years ago, while the Fomorians have spent more than a lifetime away from Ireland. Prophecies, schemes, wars, and magic simmer below the surface as this new story begins to unfold.

This book is yet another masterful blend of history and magic. It feels both fresh and familiar, threading new and old characters and stories together.

Lawless combines Irish mythology, political intrigue, history, and a coming-of-age story together into an addictive and powerful read. It contains complex and well-rounded characters that have distinct voices and motivations. The stakes, the struggles, and the emotional depth of this novel is rich, and told through thoughtful, beautiful, prose. Which makes every revelation and heartbreak land devastatingly. While the pace is suspenseful and exciting (or gut wrenchingly tense).

In this new era, I'm still engaged and surprised by the magic and mythology. It's expanded but retains its essence; I was enthralled and theorising as I read. The world's brutality strikes contrastingly with the tenderness of the love in this book and creates a juxtaposition that is consuming.

This is a beautiful historical fantasy that is powerful and full of heart (and breaks). Shauna Lawless is a must-buy must-read author for me, and this book has yet again proved that right.

First, I would like to thank Head of Zeus Publishing House, Shauna Lawless, and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I read the ebook version of Daughter of the Otherworld, and one of the first things I noticed was the formatting. It appeared as though a tab key was pressed at the beginning of each new paragraph, causing inconsistent alignment. I'm not sure if this is a stylistic choice or a formatting error, but since this is an ARC, I assume—and hope—it will be corrected in the final release. I won’t be docking points for this issue.

Initially, I wasn’t aware that this was the fourth book in a series, as the summary read like a standalone. After checking the previous books’ summaries, I felt confident jumping into this one without prior knowledge, and for the most part, I was able to follow the story on its own merits. However, it's clear by the end that this book is part of a larger arc, and future instalments are on the horizon.

Within the first two pages, I was intrigued enough to pause and research the Dál gCais. From what I found, it’s clear that Shauna Lawless did her research. I love when an author takes the time to research and bring real historical context into their worldbuilding.

This is a story of dwindling magical lineages—both Descendants and Fomorians—seeking to wipe each other out before their enemies can do the same. There are only a handful of these magical beings left on either side, and that high-stakes premise helped frame the tension from the start.

As for the characters of this story, I'll lend them each their own section to describe my feelings about them before continuing on. Though this list is not exhaustive of all the characters in the story that you meet.

Broccan was a standout. His emotional complexity, the losses he’s endured, and the quiet strength he carries made him the most compelling character in the book for me. His love for Isolde, his inner struggles, and his depth were written beautifully. I could read an entire book just about him.

Isolde, though the central figure, took longer to connect with. Her impulsiveness and refusal to listen to reason—particularly in the first quarter—were frustrating at times, though understandable from a place of emotional motivation. By the halfway mark, I began to truly engage with her story.

Cuan surprised me. I wasn’t sure how I felt about him initially, but his arc, especially his internal conflict due to his mixed heritage, became increasingly interesting. Like Broccan, he became a favourite.

Donnchad, on the other hand, felt underwhelming. His perspective seemed singularly focused and repetitive. While his chapters did contain the most battle scenes and tactical decisions, I found myself eager to return to the others' narratives.

Gormflaith was an effective antagonist—compelling without being someone you'd root for. She didn’t always do much in terms of action, but her presence lingered ominously. Her rare moments of sympathy added a layer of complexity I appreciated.

The story takes its time getting started. The setup is long, and I struggled a bit in the early chapters. But once the story found its rhythm, I was hooked—largely due to the strength of its characters. While I noticed a few typos in the ARC, I expect these will be resolved before publication. The story is rich with Irish history, mythology, magic, and the shifting political and religious tides of the era. Readers interested in historical fantasy, especially rooted in Irish legend, will find much to enjoy here. Despite being book four, it’s surprisingly accessible for new readers—though by the end, it's clear this isn't a standalone and more is coming.

I'll definitely be reading the next instalment to follow Isolde’s journey.